mountain horse back riding

The best part of this ride is that it leaves the busy coast behind quickly. You head into the hills above Puerto Plata, pass through small villages, and follow mountain paths with broad views. I like the local setting and the chance to see rural life at a slow pace, not from behind a bus window.

I also like that the outing includes a photo session, bottled water, helmets, and pickup from several Puerto Plata-area resorts. The horses are described as especially easygoing, and the guide is also the trainer for a stable of about 50 horses. The main drawback is the limited pickup area: Sosua, Cabarete, and cruise ships are excluded, and the ride depends on good weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Mountain riding above Puerto Plata: The route leaves the coast and heads through hills, villages, and natural areas.
• Gentle horses and a trained guide: The guide is also responsible for training the stable’s horses, which may reassure first-time riders.
• A local bar stop in Boulula: You can pause for a drink and browse souvenirs, though lunch is not included.
• Photos are part of the outing: A planned photo session gives you a record of the ride and the mountain views.
• Pickup is limited but useful: Service covers Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, and Playa Dorada.
• A small price for a half-day activity: At $69 per person, the package includes the horse, helmet, guide, water, pickup in the service zone, and about two hours and 15 minutes on the outing.

Leaving the coast for Puerto Plata’s hills

This is not a beachside pony ride. The route takes you up into the hills and mountains around Puerto Plata, where the pace is quieter and the views open up. You ride through small villages and natural areas, giving the outing a more local feel than a standard resort activity.

The appeal is simple: you get time on horseback without giving up most of your day. The scheduled ride runs from about 9:45 a.m. to noon, with pickup listed between 8:45 and 9:40 a.m. That makes it easy to pair with an afternoon at the beach, a meal, or another activity.

The meeting point is in Puerto Plata, and the activity ends back there. Since pickup times vary by location, I would check the exact collection time when booking. The published start information also lists 9:30 a.m., while the detailed schedule gives a 9:45 a.m. ride start. That small difference is worth confirming so you are ready when the vehicle arrives.

What the two-hour-15-minute route feels like

The ride begins in Puerto Plata Province and works its way into the hills above the city. You can expect a mix of mountain paths, village scenes, and views across the surrounding area. The exact order of the sights is not specified, but the route is designed to show you more than the stable or resort grounds.

The village sections are part of the experience. You get a look at everyday places outside the main tourist strip, while the mountain sections provide the wider views. For me, that combination gives the ride its character. You are not simply circling a field for photographs. You are moving through a real area with homes, roads, and rural surroundings.

The pace should suit people who want an outdoor activity without committing to a full-day excursion. Still, horseback riding requires some tolerance for sitting in the saddle for a sustained period. If you have never ridden before, tell the guide. The horses are described as calm, and the guide has experience training the animals, but a mountain route is still different from riding in a flat arena.

The horses and the guide matter

The strongest practical point about this activity is the attention given to the horses. The guide is described as friendly and as the trainer of all 50 horses at the ranch. That does not remove every possible risk, but it suggests that the person leading the ride knows the animals well and can match riders with suitable horses.

The horses are also described as among the most easygoing encountered by an experienced rider. That is useful information if you feel nervous about getting on a horse. A calm animal can make the first few minutes much less stressful, especially when the route leaves the stable and enters uneven mountain terrain.

You should still follow the guide’s instructions carefully. Keep both hands available when needed, maintain the requested spacing, and avoid sudden movements around the horses. Helmets are included, which is an important safety feature rather than a minor extra.

The available information does not identify the guide by name, so I would not expect a named guide when booking. What you can count on is a professional guide and a person with direct responsibility for the horses.

Mountain views, village roads, and the photo session

The scenery is the main reason to choose this ride. You move through mountain country above Puerto Plata, with views that are different from the flat shoreline and resort districts. Small villages add human detail, while the natural sections give you a quieter setting for the ride.

A photo session is built into the outing. This matters because it is hard to take good pictures while managing a horse, especially on a moving trail. The session gives you a planned chance to capture the ride and the views, so you do not have to choose between enjoying the route and trying to photograph yourself.

The exact number of photos and the delivery method are not provided. I would ask how the photos are supplied before the ride if those images are important to you. The experience does promise a photo opportunity, but the available details do not say whether digital files, prints, or a set number of pictures are included.

Bring a practical attitude toward clothing. The tour information does not specify a dress code, so choose clothes that can handle an outdoor ride and shoes suitable for being around horses. Since the outing is in the mountains and depends on good weather, conditions can affect comfort.

A break at the local bar in Boulula

The stop at the local bar in Boulula adds a welcome pause to the morning. You can buy souvenirs there and choose drinks beyond the one included with the tour. It is a modest stop, not a full meal or a major attraction, but it gives the outing a local social touch.

This is also where the limits of the package become clear. Lunch is not included, and the stop should not be treated as a planned meal break. If you need a substantial meal, arrange that before or after the ride. The information confirms that other drinks can be purchased, but it does not specify which drink is included or how much additional items cost.

I like this sort of stop because it keeps some spending in the community and lets you pause without turning the ride into a long organized program. The souvenir option may appeal to you if you want a small reminder of the area. If you prefer nonstop riding, though, the bar visit will take time away from the trail.

What the $69 price includes

At $69 per person, the price is reasonable if you need pickup and want a guided mountain outing rather than simply renting a horse for a short ride. The package covers the horse, professional guide, helmet, bottled water, and transportation from several Puerto Plata-area locations.

The value improves if you are staying in Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, or Playa Dorada. Pickup saves you from arranging separate transportation to the meeting point. It also makes the activity easier to fit into a holiday schedule, since the ride lasts only a little over two hours.

The price does not include lunch, and purchases at the Boulula bar are extra. It also does not cover pickup from Sosua or Cabarete. If you are staying in either of those areas, the low headline price may not be the final cost once you consider your own transportation.

A maximum of 30 people is allowed. That is not a guarantee of a small group, so you should be comfortable with the possibility of riding as part of a larger organized outing. The experience is booked, on average, about 19 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible during busy periods.

Who should choose this ride

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a gentle outdoor activity, mountain views, and a look at villages near Puerto Plata. It suits first-time riders who prefer a calm pace, provided they are comfortable following instructions and spending time in the saddle.

It also works well for couples, families with older children, and people who want a short morning activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour states that most people can participate. No special riding level is listed as required.

The ride may be less suitable if you want a serious horseback trek, a full-day mountain adventure, or a polished resort-style program with lunch included. It is also not a good fit if you are staying in Sosua or Cabarete and do not want to arrange your own way to Puerto Plata.

People who dislike planned stops may also prefer a different ride. The Boulula bar visit and photo session are part of the shape of this outing. They add variety, but they mean the entire two hours and 15 minutes is not spent continuously on horseback.

Pickup details you should confirm

Pickup is offered from Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, and Playa Dorada. The published pickup window runs from 8:45 to 9:40 a.m., with the ride scheduled for about 9:45 a.m. The meeting point and return point are both in Puerto Plata.

Because the listed start time also says 9:30 a.m., confirm the exact time for your hotel when you book. Have your group ready before the earliest possible pickup time. This is especially important if your accommodation is farther from the main meeting point.

There is no pickup from Sosua, Cabarete, or cruise ships. Cruise ship passengers should be particularly cautious about booking, since the tour does not offer collection at the port. A port day also leaves less room for delays, so this activity is not presented as a cruise excursion.

The activity uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. Keep the booking details available on your phone, and check the meeting instructions before the morning of the ride.

Weather, cancellation, and basic planning

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of people, and if that minimum is not reached, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. Set a reminder if your plans may change.

The tour includes bottled water, but the information does not say how much is provided. Since lunch is not included and the ride takes up the morning, plan your food around the activity. You can buy other drinks at the local bar, but those purchases are separate.

The maximum group size is 30. That gives the operator room to run a sizable outing, but it also means you should not assume a private ride or a small personal lesson. If personal attention is your top concern, ask about the expected group size for your date.

Should you book Mountain Horseback Riding?

Book it if you want a short, affordable mountain ride with pickup, gentle horses, village scenery, a local bar stop, and a planned photo session. At $69, it offers a useful mix of transport, equipment, guidance, and scenery without taking the whole day.

Skip it if you need a full meal, a private ride, nonstop trail time, or pickup from Sosua, Cabarete, or a cruise ship. For most people based in the covered Puerto Plata resort areas, though, this is a practical way to trade the coast for the hills and see a more rural side of the Dominican Republic.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours and 15 minutes. The scheduled ride runs from about 9:45 a.m. to noon.

What time does pickup take place?

Pickup is listed between 8:45 and 9:40 a.m. The exact time depends on your location. A separate start time of 9:30 a.m. is also provided, so confirm the exact schedule when booking.

Where does the tour take place?

The ride takes place in the hills and mountains around and above Puerto Plata Province. The route includes small villages, natural areas, and mountain views.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, and Playa Dorada.

Can I be picked up in Sosua or Cabarete?

No. Pickup is not available from Sosua or Cabarete.

Can cruise ship passengers join with port pickup?

No. Pickup from cruise ships is not offered.

What is included in the price?

The price includes use of a helmet, a professional guide, bottled water, and pickup from the specified Puerto Plata-area locations.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy souvenirs and additional drinks at the local bar stop in Boulula.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.